The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Northern Region has hinted at the potential closure of its pumping station at Nawuni in the Kumbungu District following the spillage of the Bagre Dam and weeks of torrential rains.

This according to management is because many crucial equipments at the Nawuni station have submerged in flood water, causing two out of the three pumping machines to be shut down.

According to the company, the maximum water level at which the last pump can function is 36 feet.

But the current water level is now 35.7 feet which means the pump station could be totally shut down in the coming days as water continues to flood the White Volta.

Speaking to JoyNews, the Regional director of the Ghana Water Company, Ing. Amidu Musah, said the flood situation was already affecting operations since the closure of two plants a week ago.

Mr. Musah said, the company could now produce only 15,000 cubic liters per day as against the 45,000 liters initially produced.

Speaking at Nawuni where the Northern Regional Security Council had paid a visit to assess the situation, the Regional Director said the development is likely to trigger severe water shortage in many parts of the region, including the Tamale Metropolis.

He has therefore advised customers around the Tamale Metropolist and its surrounding area to store more water and use it judiciously as the floods could led to a total closure of the water intake station.

"People have to store water because there are some critical institutions we cannot deny, so we have to look at those institutions first before the rest of the public comes in.

"But when we shut down completely our case will be worse because now we are drawing some of the water for treatment so it is helping the level, so imagine if we shut down; then the whole of the control room will be filled with water," he said.

On his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, said urgent measures will be put in place to handle the situation.

"From the briefings, we have realised that since 1997, they have never seen volumes of water flooding the banks of the river and at the same time threatening to submerge the pumping machines. But this one is even unprecedented.

"So I am going to make a quick recommendation to the seat of government and the Sector Minister to ensure that they quickly mobilise pumps that can survive being inside water to be able to supply water to the people," the Minister said.